The Tale of the Melon City (CBL)

Vikram Seth

Poetic Devices

Phrase / Line	Poetic Device	Significance / Function in the Poem
“A just and placid King”	Irony	The statement is ironic because the King’s foolish law leads to injustice and chaos, revealing the gap between appearance and reality in governance.
“He hung himself by mistake”	Paradox / Irony	This absurd contradiction highlights the poem’s satirical nature—justice is shown to be so blind that it punishes the innocent.
“Long live the King!” (for a melon)	Satire / Irony	The phrase mocks blind loyalty and exposes the irrationality of a society that worships symbols instead of valuing real leadership.
“They crowned the melon, their King.”	Symbolism	The melon symbolizes foolish authority, passive acceptance, and the hollow nature of political systems that lack wisdom or morality.
Citizens’ calm acceptance of the melon king	Hyperbole / Absurdism	The exaggeration of collective foolishness reflects how societies normalize absurdities through blind acceptance.

 

Poetic Techniques

·        Allegory → The city becomes an allegory for any society ruled by empty rituals and foolish laws.a

·        Satire & Irony → Core to the poem’s critique of authority and blind obedience.

·        Symbolism → The melon symbolizes mindless power and complacency.

·        Tone & Diction → Simple, objective, and humorous language enhances universality.

·        Structure (Couplets) → Mimics nursery rhymes or fables, contrasting form with theme.

·        Repetition & Rhythm → Build comic suspense and highlight cyclical absurdity.

·        Mock-epic / Parody → Grand, serious narrative style, trivial and absurd incident, formal, elevated tone, employs irony and exaggeration to replace genuine heroism with comic folly, turning noble traits into absurdities. The detached, report-like narration, comic anti-climax.

 

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Why was the King of the city executed, and what does this incident reveal about the nature of justice in the poem?

Answer: The King was executed because he himself had ordered that “the man who would pass by the arch next” should be hanged for its low height. Ironically, when he passed first, the rule applied to him. This exposes the absurdity and blind nature of justice in the city, highlighting how laws without wisdom lead to chaos and farce.

Q2. Analyze how Vikram Seth uses irony to criticize political systems and governance through the events of the poem.

Answer: The irony lies in a city that calls itself “just and peace-loving” yet executes its King for trivial reasons. The final outcome—crowning a melon—exposes the foolishness of a populace that values ritual over reason. Through humor and absurdity, Seth critiques autocratic systems and public apathy toward meaningful leadership.

Q3. Evaluate the citizens’ decision to crown a melon as their ruler. What does this reveal about the moral and intellectual state of the society?

Answer: The citizens’ decision shows moral bankruptcy and intellectual laziness. Instead of challenging irrational authority, they cling to hollow traditions. Their acceptance of a melon as king mirrors real societies where people tolerate injustice and corruption to maintain superficial peace, symbolizing blind obedience over moral awakening.

Q4. How can the message of “The Tale of the Melon City” be applied to contemporary political or social systems?

Answer: In modern contexts, the poem warns against passive citizenship and blind trust in authority. Democracies often witness voters electing unfit leaders due to ignorance or habit. The poem encourages critical thinking, civic responsibility, and the courage to question irrational systems for the sake of genuine justice.

Q5. Comment on the narrative style and tone used by Vikram Seth in “The Tale of the Melon City.” How do they contribute to its satirical effect?

Answer: The poem adopts a detached, report-like tone with simple, rhythmic verse and narrative irony. The storyteller recounts absurd events without emotion, enhancing the satire. The ballad-like style, repetitive structure, and humor-laced detachment make the absurdity of the events stand out sharply, reinforcing the moral critique of governance.

Q6. If you were a citizen of the Melon City, how would you have responded to the King’s execution and the coronation of a melon? Justify your answer.

Answer: As a thoughtful citizen, I would have protested the irrational punishment and questioned the law itself. Instead of accepting a melon as ruler, I would demand reforms and reasoned justice. The poem teaches that peace without wisdom is hollow; a truly just society must value logic, fairness, and accountability.

Q7. How does The Tale of the Melon City use anti-climax, and why is it significant?

Answer: Anti-climax means a sudden fall from something serious or important to something silly or unimportant. In the poem, all the serious talk about justice ends with a melon being made the king, which is funny and unexpected. It shows the foolishness of the people and their blind respect for customs, adding humour and satire to the poem.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Discuss the main theme of “The Tale of the Melon City.” How does Vikram Seth use satire and poetic techniques to convey his message about justice, governance, and human behavior?

Answer: At its core, “The Tale of the Melon City” satirizes the absurdities of human governance and blind adherence to tradition. Vikram Seth portrays a kingdom that mistakes rituals for justice, showing how superficial order can mask deep irrationality. The execution of the King, followed by a melon’s coronation, symbolizes the foolishness of citizens who prioritize form over substance.

Technically, Seth employs a mock-heroic style, rhythmic couplets, and an objective narrator to heighten the humor. The simplicity of diction contrasts with the complexity of the message, making the satire accessible and biting. The poem’s irony and detached tone create a powerful critique of political systems that lack moral integrity. Ultimately, the poem urges readers to value wisdom and reasoning over empty customs, exposing the timeless folly of human institutions.

Q2. What key lessons does “The Tale of the Melon City” offer about leadership, justice, and public responsibility? How can these lessons be applied to real-life governance today?

Answer: The poem highlights the dangers of blind obedience and mindless governance. The citizens’ passive acceptance of injustice leads to the absurd rule of a melon, showing that a society’s character reflects its people’s moral strength. Leadership, Seth implies, is not just about power but about wisdom, fairness, and accountability.

Applied to modern life, the poem serves as a reminder that democracy depends on vigilant, informed citizens. When people choose comfort over questioning, they allow corruption and incompetence to flourish. The tale thus becomes a mirror to contemporary societies where political theater often replaces meaningful reform. Vikram Seth’s humor hides a serious plea—for awareness, active participation, and moral courage in ensuring that justice and governance remain humane and rational.